THE FIRST ARE LAST; THE LAST ARE FIRST

Matt 19:27-30 Then answered Peter and said unto Him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed Thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. (Also See Mark 10:28-31; Luke 18:28-30)

Jesus had just completed His righteous teaching to the rich young ruler and His discourse regarding the near impossibility of entering the kingdom of God with great possessions. More than likely these spiritual teachings prompted Peter's comment and question at the beginning of the lesson text. Speaking to Jesus, on behalf of all other apostles, Peter said, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed Thee. When found by Jesus, and asked to forsake all and follow Him, it was necessary for apostles He chose to leave families, friends, occupations, and all worldly possessions, in order to become His devoted disciples. Unlike the rich young ruler, they obediently did as Jesus commanded. Some may say that, by Jewish standards, all of Jesus apostles came from poor working-class families, and therefore their sacrifice was very little, however, in their defense, it was their all. Although the accounts of Mark and Luke omit this question, Matthew includes it. We know that the young man was promised a treasure in heaven for selling all he had and following Jesus. Realizing this, Peter, speaking for all other disciples, asks Him this question: what shall we have therefore? That is, what reward can we expect for our obedience to your will?

In answer to this question, Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. What a thought provoking reward Jesus made in answer to Peter's question. The ones, referred to here, who were followers of Christ, are His apostles. The word "regeneration" literally means to be born again, or a new birth. This is exactly how it is used in Titus 3:5, when it refers to one baptized into the body of Christ for the remission of sins, and thus becoming a new born Christian. Becoming a new born Christian takes place immediately in life on earth as soon as one submits to the required scriptural acts that precede, and include, water baptism, i.e., hearing and believing that salvation comes from obedience to the will of God through Christ Jesus, repenting of one's past sinful life, and confessing Jesus to be the Son of God and Savior of the world.

However, "regeneration," as it is used in the lesson text, carries with it a different meaning in the sense of the time frame in which it is to occur. The rebirth spoken of here takes place when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory. This new birth will take place at the second coming of Jesus. On that day a new birth will take place when the earthly corruptible bodies of all obedient children of God are transformed into spiritual heavenly bodies that are incorruptible, like that of the heavenly form of Christ Jesus (See 1 Cor. 15:51-52; 2 Cor. 3:18). And it will be on that day of "regeneration" that the apostles of Christ Jesus will inherit their reward for obediently following Him. They will receive everlasting life and sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Figuratively, the twelve tribes of Israel represent the redeemed of all ages, as noted in James 1:1, in the opening of his epistle to those which are scattered abroad. These will be judged, not by the spirits of the apostles, but by their "doctrine" - that is, the Holy Spirit-inspired gospel, which they began to preach and teach on the Day of Pentecost following the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension back into heaven of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Their teaching revealed God's will that all should be saved through His Son, Jesus Christ. And it will be by the doctrine they taught that the whole world will be judged on that final day of "regeneration." For those that hear their gospel message, believe it, and forsake all worldly matters that stand in the way of obeying it, they shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. Those that accept Jesus as their Savior and obey His gospel of salvation will find on judgment day that the rich and poor, the master and servant, the Jew and Gentile will all equally receive God's promise of eternal life in heaven.